Bluewing River Co.
Where Slow Water Keeps The Evening Light
Guided paddles, floats and canoe trips on the Tennessee River, rated 4.9 by 612 paddlers over thirteen seasons.
Book a trip
See every trip
Scroll for details
Thirteen seasons, one river
We paddle one river and know it by heart: the slow bend under the bridges, the islands where the herons nest, and the gorge where the city falls away and the water turns to glass at dusk.
Ruthie Pruitt grew up in Hixson paddling this river with her dad, guided whitewater for eight summers, then bought four kayaks and a trailer in 2014. Today eleven local guides run every trip from our floating dock on the North Shore.
Every guide swiftwater-rescue and CPR trained
Dam-controlled water, steady and gentle all summer
Wetsuits and dry bags free at the dock
Pick your water.
Every trip leaves from our dock with a guide, the gear and a dry bag for your phone. No experience needed for anything but the three-day trip.
2 hours, nightly at 7pm in summer
Guided sunset paddle
Out at golden hour, past the islands, and back at the dock as the bridge lights come on. Kayak or paddleboard.
$65
a person
4 hours, 8am and 1pm daily
Half-day river float
About eight miles in a tandem kayak or canoe with a guide, then our shuttle van back to your car.
$95
a person
90 minutes, Sat and Sun at 9am
Paddleboard lessons
Six people at most and a guide who has taught thousands to stand. Most are up in ten minutes. Private lessons $95.
$59
a person
3 days, 26 miles, May to October
Three-day canoe trip
Down the Tennessee River Gorge with two nights camped on the riverbank and every meal cooked by your guides.
$395
a person
Up to 24 people
Private and group trips
Birthdays, families, church groups and company outings, with the trip, the time and the guides all yours.
from $55
a person
Rentals and shuttle
Paddle on your own. Life jackets, paddles and a dry bag come with every boat.
Kayak or paddleboard, 2 hours
$45
Kayak or paddleboard, full day
$75
Tandem kayak, 2 hours
$60
Shuttle to an upstream ramp for your own boat
$25
How a trip goes.
From the first text to the shuttle back to your car. Kids 6 and up paddle with an adult.
01
Book your trip
Online or by call or text. Pick the trip, the day and how many are coming.
02
Meet us at the dock
Thirty minutes early, in clothes that can get wet and shoes that strap on. Parking is free.
03
Fifteen minutes on the dock
We fit your life jacket, set your paddle and show you the three strokes you will need.
04
On the water
A guide with you the whole way. Floats end downstream, and our van brings you back.
Walnut Street Bridge
Maclellan Island
Moccasin Bend
Williams Island
Suck Creek
Pot Point
13
seasons on the Tennessee River
38,000
paddlers out on the water
4.9
stars from 612 reviews
41,200
pounds of trash hauled out
The river's year.
We run seven days a week from April through October. The river is dam-controlled, so we check the release schedule every morning and post the day's flow by the dock.
Lightning in the forecast? We move your trip or refund it in full. You choose.
Water temperature, month by month
April–May
60–70°F
Floats, lessons and rentals. Wetsuits on us.
June–August
78–84°F
Everything runs. Sunset paddles nightly at 7pm.
September–October
70–76°F
Fall color in the gorge. Sunset paddles at 6:30pm.
November–March
45–55°F
Private trips by appointment.
Every week in season
Nightly, 7pm
Guided sunset paddle
Daily, 8am and 1pm
Half-day river float
Sat and Sun, 9am
Paddleboard lesson
First Saturday, 8am
Free river cleanup paddle
One Friday a month
Three-day canoe trip departs
First Saturday of every month
A River Gives Back What You Give It
Every guide pulls trash on every trip, and once a month we all do. Join the free 8am cleanup paddle: boats, gloves and bags are on us, coffee and biscuits after.
Join a cleanup paddle
See the season
41,200 pounds hauled out since 2014, from bottles to a whole bass boat seat.
Heard at the take-out.
4.9 from 612 reviews
“We booked the sunset paddle for my mom's sixtieth. Halfway out the whole sky went orange and Abe just stopped talking and let us float. Best hour of the whole year.”
Keisha, St. Elmo
“First time on a paddleboard and I was standing up in ten minutes. Ruthie's lesson is the real deal.”
Grace, Red Bank
“Three days in the gorge with two kids and they never once asked for a screen. The food was better than ours at home.”
Tom and Linh, Signal Mountain
Before you get wet.
Anything else? Call or text the dock at (423) 555-0147. A guide answers, not a call center.
Call or text us
Do I need any experience?
Not for anything but the three-day trip, which asks for one paddle with us first. Most first-timers are standing on a paddleboard in about ten minutes.
How old do kids need to be?
Six and up, paddling with an adult in a tandem kayak or canoe. Every life jacket is fitted on the dock before anyone gets in.
What if it storms?
If lightning is in the forecast, we move your trip to another day or refund it in full. You choose. A little rain, we paddle.
What should I wear?
Clothes that can get wet, shoes that strap on, and sunscreen. Dry bags for phones and keys are free at the dock, and so are wetsuits in spring and fall.
How cold is the water?
About 60°F in April and 84°F by August. The river runs slow and wide here, and by July it is warm enough to swim.
Can you take a big group?
Up to 24 people on a private trip, from $55 a person, for birthdays, families, church groups and company outings. Call or text and we will plan it with you.
Bluewing River Co.
Your evening on the river starts here.
Pick a trip, a day and a time, and we will text you to confirm within the hour while the dock is open.
Call or text (423) 555-0147
hello@bluewingriver.com
840 Manufacturers Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37405
Request your trip
Request my trip